The Tibetan word for Stupa is Chorten, which means "the basis of offering".

It is a symbol of enlightened mind, (the awakened mind, universal divinity) and the path to its realisation. A good definition for Stupa might be might be "Spiritual Monument".

The stupa represents the Buddha's body, his speech and his mind, but most especially his mind and every part shows the path to Enlightenment

"The visual impact of the stupa on the observer brings a direct experience of inherent wakefulness and dignity. Stupas continue to be built because of their ability to liberate one simply upon seeing their structure" - Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Tarthang Tulku also suggest Stupas affect the space around them.

Odiyan Retreat Centre is celebration of the human potential that belongs to us all, a home for the Dharma in the West, the traditional temples and libraries of Odiyan restore and preserve the ancient symbols, rare sacred texts and art that connect the heart and mind to the Path of Awakening.

The Odiyan property consists of about a thousand acres of ridges and meadows located 1,400 feet above the level of the Pacific Ocean. To heal the land, which had been overgrazed and scarred by logging, over 250,000 trees were planted, and through the years, the splendour of the environment has been restored. One hundred and eight land stupas mark out a pilgrimage route, sanctifying every acre. The beauty of the natural world has an intrinsic sacred dimension and forms an integral part of the mandala as a living aesthetic creation.